Brighouse’s losing run in Championship B continued with a 64-run defeat at Bowling Old Lane.

The Russell Way men made a bright start, Zadar Jadoon taking a couple of wickets to leave Lane struggling on 27 for three.

However, experienced batsman Ahsan Butt made an unbeaten 105 and received excellent sup;port from Farakh Hussain (45) and Bilal Ejaz (44 no) as the total climbed to 227 for four.

Brighouse lost wickets steadily in reply with opener Mohammed Zahid (26) and Jadoon (27) the top scorers in a total of 163.

Northowram Fields are looking increasingly likely to have to settle for the runners-up spot behind Buttershaw St Paul’s in the Conference.

The pair won in contrasting styles yesterday but Buttershaw stretched their lead to 12 points with a game in hand. However, third-placed Great Preston lost at East Ardsley.

For the second home game running, Northowram pulled the game out of the fire after a disastrous batting display.

Sent in to bat on a wicket affected by overnight rain, they mustered only 116 against Gildersome with skipper John Lister (39 no) and Dru Patel (33) faring best against the experienced Martin Morley (five for 30).

The visitors slipped from 40 without loss to 65 for six with medium pacer Jonathan Lee (five for 46) again impressing and Lister taking three catches.

Arshad Jan threatened to win it for the visitors with 50 not out, including some big sixes, but Lister made a successful shy at the stumps from distance for a run out and Zafar Khan returned to pick up the last two wickets.

The last man’s bails were clipped to clinch a seven-run win in a feisty contest.

Barkisland were sixth and seventh in the Huddersfield League’s Premiership before the start of play and the Calderdale side put more daylight between the pair with a 12-run away win.

Jamie Summerscales (55)( and Jake Finch (32) helped them to 163 and that proved just enough as Matthew Steers and Luke Bridges took nine wickets between them.

Elland slipped nearer relegation when they were all out for 66 in reply to mid-table visitors Kirkburton’s 199.

Alastair Finn bowled 15 fine overs, knocking over the visitors top four to give the Hullen Edge men hope.

However, Chavez Younas (34) and Javaid Ahmad (31) scored runs down the order for Kirkburton to lift the total to 147.

Only three players - Jacob Bower (23), Robin Broom (15) and Chris Walker (13) - made more than four in Elland’s poor response.

Illingworth got back to winning ways in Division Two of the Aire/Wharfe League with a convincing 92-run win away to fellow strugglers Harden.

Aussie Daniel Murfet paved the way with a knock of 95 in a total of 251, becoming one of eight victims for opening bowler Matthew Hogg.